It took a stunning goal in extra time from Sebastian Kehl to secure Borussia Dortmund’s place in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal, as Hoffenheim gave the home side a run for their money at Signal Iduna Park.
BVB were without key duo Marco Reus and Mats Hummels due to injury for their quarter-final clash with Hoffenheim in the German Cup on Tuesday night, and it was a tough night for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
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It took just 19 minutes for Dortmund to take a well deserved lead with their early pressure paying off.
A corner from the right by Jakub Blaszczykowski was met by centre-back Neven Subotic, whose volley somehow reached the back of the net as the Hoffenheim defenders simply watched the ball tamely bounce into the far corner.
However, less than 90 seconds later, the visitors equalised through an unmarked Kevin Volland, who was gifted far too much time and space to execute a sweet left-foot volley past a hapless Mitchell Langerak.
The match took a turn for the worse for the home side, as a shocking error from Subotic saw the unlikely goalscorer turn villain – proving just why Arsenal would be taking a risk on bringing the 26-year-old to the Emirates Stadium.
The centre-back gifted Roberto Firmino a goal after he slipped when failing to control a simple pass, but credit must go to Firmino for scoring with an effortless chip over Langerak.
Jurgen Klopp’s side needed a response – and it wasn’t until the second-half that BVB got the equaliser on 57 minutes.
Left-back Erik Durm sent a teasing cross into the box, which met the head of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the forward finally burying one of his chances after showing great strength to fire a powerful header past Oliver Baumann.
Neither side could break the deadlock, sending the game into extra time.
The next goal didn’t arrive until 107 minutes were on the clock – but boy was it worth waiting for.
Veteran midfielder Sebastian Kehl stepped up and scored a stunning thunderbolt of a volley, which crept in at the near post – a strike worthy of winning any match.
Despite late pressure from Hoffenheim, BVB held on to secure a place in the semi-final of the DFB cup, as Klopp’s side look to give their woeful season some meaning.